Emotions run high during City Council meeting

Mike Glick Mayor Royce Dawkins had his work cut out for him at Monday's meeting of the Buffalo City Council, where emotions ran high and discussions got heated. Several times the mayor stepped in to curtail non-productive verbage and to draw the meeting back into order.

Many in the sizeable crowd at the meeting were present to hear and have input on Agenda Item 16: Ordinance for a rotating wrecker service inside the city limits. The focus of the discussion was on the feasibility of implementing a simple rotation as means of determining which service is called on police-ordered tows, which have recently averaged 2-7 vehicles per month. There is currently no city contract with any service, but the majority of the calls go to Glick Automotive Enterprises. Individual requests for a specific service are honored.

Three local wrecker owners were present: Bill Gordon, Ray J. Eagans and Mike Glick. Each was given an opportunity to speak. All seemed in agreement that no wrecker service could make a living in Buffalo solely on income from local towing. Glick insisted that he does not have a contract nor exclusive rights, but pointed out that his company has served the area for 31 years, has unquestioned expertise and the ability to securely lock up impounded vehicles inside a building. Eagans could also boast of 30+ years of local service, but stated that he would like to see a rotation implemented, stating that Jewett has successfully done so. Gordon was also in favor of a rotation, stating, "I don't want all of the wrecker business in Buffalo, but I want a part of it. I have a business in Buffalo and want to be treated fairly."

Bill Gordon Police Chief Pavelka and Officer Craig Jefferson gave input as well. The police stated that they often needed the descretion option of calling the company nearest to the scene of the accident in order to eliminate dangerous situations most expediately. The officers also stated that the fees for towing services varied widely within the three companies and they would like to see set fees "so people are treated fairly". Chief Pavelka pointed out that Glick's storage building was vital to the police department on chain of custody issues.

Ray J. Eagans Each councilmember also voiced their opinion. Most agreed that they did not want to legislate the matter with an ordinance, but hoped the local companies could work out an agreement. It was also agreed that set fees would be difficult to regulate because all accidents are not the same. Councilmember Farmer firmly expressed her dissatisfaction with Glick's firm "monopolizing the wrecker service" and with the police officers calling one company almost exclusively. Ultimately, Mayor Dawkins called for the discussion to be tabled.

Another agenda item drawing considerable discussion was an ordinance to restrict the discharge of firearms in the city limits. An open container ordinance was also presented for consideration, since the City will soon have beer and wine sales within the city limits.

The City Council heard a report from Martin Housler presenting the Chamber of Commerce's annual budget. Housler's presentation focused on defining budget items which can be paid from hotel/motel taxes, and how the Chamber is working to qualify for those funds.

The Council then addressed agenda items requir- ing immediate action, some of which had been before the Council many times in previous meetings. - Six bids were considered for the wastewater project on Hill Street for the Bryson/Kamely Hotel Development, a project which has been long-delayed. Mayor Dawkins had consulted with the city's engineering firm, KSA, and upon their recommendation the Council awarded the contract to Duplichain Contnractors out of Alto who submitted the lowest bid, $46,123. The sewer system improvements will be paid out of Buffalo Economic Development Corp (BEDC) funds already earmarked for that project. - Gayle Wilson Ray was appointed City Attorney, and the City entered into agreement with Ray on rates of $175/hour with a monthly minimum of $500, and with the caveat that the City pay for her to attend one school per year related to municipal law. Both parties agreed on the terms without a formal contract, but rather (as Ray put it) "just for as long as I want to serve and you want me to serve." Ray encouraged the councilmembers to make use of the monthly minimum stipulation and bring legal questions to her "so we face problems ahead of time". Ray served as the City Attorney under several previous administrations. - The Council voted to appoint Steve Oliver to fill the one-year unexpired councilmember term of Royce Dawkins. Oliver garnered the third-highest number of votes in the May at-large election, and already has council experience. - At the recommendation of Mayor Dawkins, Councilmember Dorothy Farmer was selected Mayor Pro Tem by a vote of two-to-one. Tim Ezell cast the opposing vote and Farmer abstained. - Ted Campbell presented an overview of the services offered by MuniServices. Campbell described his firm as specialists in sales tax budgeting and hotel occupancy taxes and he virtually assured the City a significant increase in taxes collected if his firm is retained to audit the local hotels. The Council appeared interested but tabled any decision on contracting with MuniServices until they could get legal counsel and study the matter further. - The Council cleared up a discrepancy on the name of CR212, officially labelling it "Star Route". That will also be used as its 9-1-1 listing, rather than the current designation, "Kickapoo". - Four members of the BEDC were re-appointed to that board for an additional two-year term. They are Lee Gayle Boettcher, Bob Winn, Linda Amos, and Dr. Russell Jonas.

Several residents took advantage of the opportunity for public comment to present concerns and opinions: - Johnny Wilson asked for clarification about the City's bidding process. - Mike Glick challenged the Council as to why the external audit by Staples and Associates has not been completed in a reasonable time frame, and suggested that the firm has been used by the City so long that it may have become complacent. Councilmembers agreed that it is a good time to go out for bids on the annual audit. Glick then reiterated his previous suggestion that the City also needs to conduct an internal audit. - John Maneval questioned the proposed firearm ordinance, and the process for appointing the replacement for Dawkins' seat on the council. - Vanessa Goodwyn presented a photo to show that a sidewalk is needed on Gene Street to keep pedestrian schoolkids out of the street..

Before adjourning, Mayor Dawkins thanked everyone for their attendance and participation, concluding "I know sometimes it's disagreeable, but we'll work something out."